​Journalistic malpractice & the dangers of Russia-bashing

Peter Lavelle is the host of RT's shows CrossTalk and On the Money, and was the anchor of the review programme In Context and the commentary series IMHO.
Peter Lavelle has extensive experience in academia and the world of business. He did his doctoral studies at the University of California in Eastern European and Russian studies. He has lived in Eastern Europe and Russia for a better part of the last 25 years. During that time he was a lecturer at the University of Warsaw, a market researcher for Colgate-Palmolive, an investment analyst for a number of respected brokerage firms, including Russia’s Alfa Bank.
In the realm of media, Peter Lavelle is widely published. He has written for Asia Times Online, Moscow Times, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, United Press International, In the National Interest, and Current History – to mention only a few.

Sochi on my mind: It is hard to think of an issue more politicized in Western media than the topic of Russia. It is commonplace to hear, read, and watch media reports claiming the worst possible things about Russia and Russians.

Criticisms are magnified even more when the subject is Vladimir
Putin. While Russia does have a long list of issues to grapple
with (like just about every other country in the world), the kind
of media coverage it receives in turn engenders a serious
security threat to the international system. Russia bashing is
dangerous for us all.

Whether one likes it or not, Russia is an important power in the
world. Having a seat on the UN Security Council confirms its
voice will be heard. In fact, Russia often represents the
concerns of most of the globe on the Security Council, although
this is hardly ever pointed out by the western powers on the
Council, particularly the United States. Russia is not a spoiler;
rather it holds back the unilateral tendencies held by those in
Western capitals. It is almost unthinkable that anyone in the
mainstream would ever inform audiences of this reality.

It is quite remarkable, after the incessant demonization Russia
gets from mainstream media, that the Kremlin continues to work
closely with the West on issues that impact geopolitical
stability, i.e. Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, nuclear proliferation,
terrorist threats, food security, and the narcotics trade.
Western publics rarely, if ever, learn about these kinds
cooperation from their media. This is truly regrettable.

The level of journalistic malpractice committed against Russia
blinds Western electorates, poisons public opinion, and emboldens
the reckless political class. The denigration of the Sochi Games
was to be expected. Cheap shots, lazy reporting and maniacal
commentary are a form of entertainment served up by Western
mainstream media. The Games have come and will soon pass into
history. But their impact will be felt long after.

While the media spotlight is on Sochi, other places and events in
the world demand our attention. Ukraine is in political deadlock
and is teetering on the brink of becoming a failed state. Western
audiences are told it is all "Putin's fault." The fact
is we have irrefutable evidence ('Nulandgate')
Washington is stoking the flames of division in Ukraine. Before
the violence in Kiev, Russia called for trilateral consultation
involving Ukraine, the EU, and Russia.

Needless to say, mainstream media is very reluctant to inform its
audiences of this. Instead, the narrative invented and spread by
the Western mainstream is how the West wants to save Ukraine from
its "evil neighbor." This is a recipe for disaster - and
possible (though completely unnecessary) conflict involving the
West and Russia.

There are many other issues, like Ukraine, that western media
dwell on with a specific and intentional anti-Russia bias (such
as Syria, Iran, and Afghanistan). When publics are not informed
or poorly informed, serious policy mistakes can be made. Russia
has its own geopolitical interests, often divergent from the
geopolitical interests of the West. However, these differences
should not be reported as a binary of "good vs. evil."
Doing so is irresponsible and a dereliction of journalistic duty.

The Sochi Games should be about athletic excellence and the sense
of fair play, and not an exercise to bash Russia when it is
reaching out to the world in good faith. Western journalists
should take a good look at themselves - where is their good
faith?

Peter Lavelle is host of RT’s “CrossTalk” and “On the
Money.”

The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of RT.